NIH-funded research Career grant

How social stress affects young adults' ability to quit smoking

Official title: The Impact of Social-Contextual Stressors on Psychopharmacological Mechanisms of Smoking Cessation and Relapse among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Young Adults who Smoke Cigarettes

Funded at Brown University · NIH-10949742 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how everyday stress from money and social situations makes it harder for young adults with limited resources to quit smoking and stay smoke-free, so we can better understand their challenges and help them succeed in quitting.

More Smoking research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrown University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$141,149
NIH project number1K99DA060983-01
Project IDNIH-10949742 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are socioeconomically disadvantaged young adults aged 21 and older who currently smoke cigarettes.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not socioeconomically disadvantaged or those who do not smoke may not receive any benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how social and contextual stressors impact the ability of socioeconomically disadvantaged young adults to quit smoking and avoid relapse. By combining qualitative interviews with real-time assessments of daily stressors, the study aims to uncover the specific challenges these individuals face in their smoking cessation efforts. The goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of young adults who smoke, particularly how financial and social pressures influence their motivation and success in quitting. This approach seeks to gather empirical evidence that can inform better support strategies for this vulnerable population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective smoking cessation programs tailored to the unique challenges faced by socioeconomically disadvantaged young adults.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding social determinants can significantly improve smoking cessation outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Brown University
    Providence, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bello, Mariel Seanne Mercado — Brown University
  • Study coordinator: Bello, Mariel Seanne Mercado

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Social stress and smoking: why disadvantaged young adults struggle to quit

    This grant looks at how daily social stress affects if and when disadvantaged young adults who smoke can quit and stay quit.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11540695

  • Adaptive treatment for early smoking relapse in adults

    This study tests different paths to help adults who smoke quit again after an early relapse, including trying a different quitting medicine or switching to a safer nicotine product.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11362332

  • Helping people quit smoking for good

    This project helps daily smokers find the best way to quit cigarettes, especially if their first attempt isn't successful.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11121737

  • Testing new ways to help smokers quit by changing treatments

    This study is looking at whether changing smoking cessation medications or trying e-cigarettes can help people who have had a hard time quitting smoking finally succeed, and you'll get support and a month’s supply of medication to help you set a quit date.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-10875543

  • I-STOP: a mobile health program to help people with HIV quit smoking

    A smartphone-based program designed to help people with HIV quit smoking in a sustainable, affordable way.

    NIH research University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · Oklahoma City, United States · NIH-11535367

  • Smoking cessation help for people with HIV in South Africa

    A program is being tested to help people living with HIV in South Africa quit smoking in ways that fit low-resource clinics and show good value.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11535332

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.